Package weighing and labeling system and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A weighing and labeling system has a scale, label printer, and at least one controller. The controller stores information about incoming food packages and drives the printer to produce labels based on the stored information and the weight of the food packages. The labels are transferred to the food packages.

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/239,967, “Package Weighing and Labeling Systemand Apparatus,” filed Oct. 11, 2016, which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to package weighing and labeling. Morespecifically, this invention relates to a system and apparatus forweighing and labeling packages of various types of meats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern food production, meats of various types are prepackaged,labeled, and offered for sale to consumers. This offers convenience toconsumers, allowing them to survey packages of meats and see the cuts,the weights, and the prices without requiring assistance. For manyconsumers this is preferable to asking for assistance, specifying whatis desired, and waiting for completion service. The prepackaging ofmeats is also monetarily more efficient as well. It is generallypreferred to buy prepackaged meat for convenience and price.

Prepackaging of meats leads to many efficiencies. Many of theseefficiencies result from the disassembly line production of the meatpackages. Among the steps in producing these packages are the finalsteps of weighing and labeling the packages. Among the importantinformation provided by a label are the weight, cut of meat, and theactual price of each package of meat. Meat is generally priced by thequantity of meat in the package. However, the price per unit weight ofmeat is dependent upon the type of meat and the specific cut of meat inthe package. For example, for poultry, the price per unit weight ofpoultry thigh will be different from the price per unit weight ofpoultry wing. With regard to beef, the price per unit weight will varybetween sirloins, tenderloins, briskets, roasts, etc. Additionally, ithas become more desirable to be able to identify the source of the meatpurchased by the customer. This may be for health reasons, i.e. to trackillness outbreaks to the source. It may also be for consumerpreferences, i.e. to identify a source as an organic producer, etc.

Hence, it is very important that label provide the relevant informationwhich may include the type of meat, the cut, the weight, the price, andsometimes the source. However, it is the nature of the disassembly linethat the various steps in the process occur at different locations.Sometimes these locations are far removed from each other. Additionally,the knowledge possessed by persons working at different locations in theprocess may not encompass the knowledge possessed at other locations.This means that it is highly desirable to be able to automatically trackthe type of meat and cuts arriving at weighing and labeling locationstoward the end of the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention comprise a frameupon which other, functional, elements are mounted. Embodiments of theapparatus comprise various functional elements which may include: ascale; a label printer; a label feeder; a label applicator; and, acontroller for operating and coordinating the various other elements ofthe apparatus along with communicating with other elements, controllers,or stations within the meat processing plant. The apparatus may haveelements that are electrically powered or air driven.

The scale is located at the front of the apparatus and is positioned atthe suitable ergonomic height. This allows an operator to load andunload the scale with packages of meat. In one embodiment, thecontroller for the scale is located below the scale and has a displayand controls on the front to set up and program the scale; in analternative embodiment, the controller for the scale is located abovethe scale on the internal surface of the door of the water-tight firstprinter housing. The platform on which the scale sets is capable of upand down adjustment to adjust the vertical space between the scale andthe label applicator (and therefore the space between the labelapplicator and a package on the scale). A label applicator is locatedabove the scale.

A label printer is located on the side of the apparatus. A label feederfeeds a label ribbon to the printer and on to the label applicator. Thelabel feeder breaks printed labels away from the label ribbon and thelabel applicator acquires the printer labels from the ribbon. The labelis then applied to a package, either automatically by the labelapplicator or manually by an operator. The operator removes the packageand usually packs it into a larger carton.

A controller on the weighing and labeling apparatus is programmableeither locally manually or from a distance by the planning system of thelarger packing plant. An operator places a package on the scale. Theweight of the package is communicated to the controller and the requiredinformation is transmitted to the label printer. A label is printed andadvanced to the label applicator.

In one embodiment, a water-tight housing is mounted on a rotatable mastsupported by a riser. The water-tight configuration of the printerhousing can be beneficial for cleaning the weighing and labelingapparatus' surfaces without causing damage to a printer or labelingelement located within printer housing. The printer housing is madewater-tight by gaskets located on the internal surfaces of the printerhousing doors when the doors are maintained in a closed configurationvia door fasteners located on each door.

At least one rotatable mast is mounted on a riser which supports one ormore printer housings located above the scale on the weighing andlabeling apparatus' frame. The rotatable mast enables a printer housingto swivel or pivot via a bolt-on, hollow tube covering a shaft with abolt connecting the bottom of the mast to a swivel-plate on the top ofthe mast. The swiveling aspect of the printer housing enables anoperator to easily access the printer and labeling elements locatedwithin the printer housing. The printer housing is mounted on top of theswivel-plate at the head of mast and the bottom of the tube connects tothe riser supporting the rotatable mast.

The printer housing has at least two doors that have internal surfaces.Located on the internal surfaces of each door are gaskets for sealingthe doors in a water-tight configuration when maintained in a closedposition via the door fasteners affixed to each door. Each door on theprinter housing is further configured to be propped open during theweighing and labeling apparatus' operation by door latches located onthe external surfaces of each door. Also mounted on the internalsurfaces of the doors are the computer and controller of the weighingand labeling apparatus. A controller is capable of being programmed tocommunicate with the computer, which in turn communicates with theprinter and the scale and coordinates the various other elements ofweighing and labeling apparatus and with other elements and stationswithin the meat processing plant. A controller on the weighing andlabeling apparatus is programmable either locally manually or from adistance by the planning system of the larger packing plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the scale controller and scaleplatform of an embodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a scale, computer, computerdisplay, and label applicator of an embodiment of a weighing andlabeling apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a label applicator and fan of anembodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a label applicator and labelfeeder of an embodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a lower side perspective view of a printer and label feeder ofan embodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a rear side perspective view of a printer and label feeder ofan embodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus with the side dooropened.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser and rotatable, water-tight printer housingwith one side door opened.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser and rotatable, water-tight printer housingwith two side doors opened.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser and dual rotatable, water-tight printerhousings with side doors closed.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser and dual rotatable, water-tight printerhousings with side doors opened.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the scale controller on aninternal surface of a door of an embodiment of the weighing and labelingapparatus.

FIG. 14 is a rear side perspective view of a first and second door latchon an external surface of a door of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus maintaining the printer housing's doors in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the interaction of the operator,weighing and labeling apparatus, and the packing plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the embodiment ofthe weighing and labeling apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. Frame 20 supportsscale 30, label printer 40, label feeder 50, label applicator 60, andcontroller 70. Controller 70 communicates with and coordinates thevarious other elements of weighing and labeling apparatus 10 and alsocommunicates with other elements and stations within the meat processingplant.

Scale 30 is located at the front of weighing and labeling apparatus 10and is positioned at the suitable ergonomic height. This allows anoperator to load and unload scale 30 with packages of meat. Scalecontroller 31 is located below scale 30 and has scale display 32 andscale controls 33 on the front to set up and program scale 30.

Scale 30 sits on platform 34 beneath label applicator 60. In theembodiment of weighing and labeling apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,platform 34 is capable of up and down adjustment to adjust the verticalspace between scale 30 and the label applicator 60. Platform cylinders36 are mounted to scale deck 21 of frame 20. The cylinder rods ofplatform cylinders 36 are attached to platform 34 and provide theadjustment to the height of platform 34. The ability to adjust verticalspace between scale 30 and label applicator 60 allows packages ofdifferent heights to be placed on scale 30 and have their top surfacesbe at the same level. This places the top surface of packages at thesame height with respect to label applicator 60 and avoids the need toadjust the stroke length of label applicator 60. Other embodiments ofweighing and labeling apparatus 10 may make this adjustment by adjustingthe stroke of label applicator 60.

Spacer 35 at the back edge of scale 30 provides a locator against whichpackages are placed. Spacer 35 is adjustable. Adjusting spacer 35results in adjusting the front-to-back position of a package placed onscale 30, which, in turn, determines where the package is positionedwith respect to label applicator 60.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of scale 30 and label applicator 60of an embodiment of a weighing and labeling apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is afront perspective view of label applicator 60 and suction fan 64 of anembodiment of weighing and labeling apparatus 10. Referring to FIG. 4,label applicator 60 is located to the rear of scale 30 and slightlyoffset from center. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, label applicator housing61 contains an applicator cylinder 62 and terminates at its bottom atlabel pick-up face 63. Suction fan 64 extends from label applicatorhousing 61. Suction fan 64 draws air through label pick-up face 63 vialabel applicator housing 61 of label applicator 60. This maintains aslight vacuum effect at label pick-up face 63 above scale 30 and spacer35.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of label applicator 60 and labelfeeder 50 of an embodiment of weighing and labeling apparatus 10. Labelfeeder 50 delivers printed labels 100 to label pick-up face 63. When alabel 100 is printed and label feeder 50 delivers a label at labelpick-up face 63 the vacuum captures the label on label pick-up face 63.Once label 100 is captured at label pick-up face 61, it may be appliedto the package using one of three different methods available to theoperator. In a first method, applicator cylinder 62 cycles and pusheslabel 100 from the label pick-up face 63 onto the package. In a secondmethod, an operator may lift the package up to the label pick-up face 63to transfer label 100 to the package. In a third method, an operator maymanually take label 100 from label pick-up face 61 and apply it to thepackage. Referring to FIG. 6 for this last method, label 100 hangs alittle off to the side from label pick-up face 63 which provides a tabfor an operator to easily grasp label 100.

FIG. 7 is a lower side perspective view of printer 40 and label feeder50 of an embodiment of weighing and labeling apparatus 10. FIG. 8 is arear side perspective view of printer 40 and label feeder 50 of anembodiment of weighing and labeling apparatus 10 with side door 41opened. Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the entire path of label ribbon101 may be observed. To the right in FIGS. 7 and 8, label roll 102mounts on feed spindle 51 feeds into printer 40. At the left in FIG. 6,label ribbon 101 breaks back sharply over peel bar 52. This causes label100 to separate from label ribbon 101, which allows pick-up face 63 oflabel applicator 60 to acquire label 100. Label ribbon 101 returns alongthe bottom of printer 40 and label feeder 50 to take-up spindle 53 atthe right in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, take-up spindle 53 comprises hub 54 withprongs 55 extending from it. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,take-up spindle 53 has 8 prongs. Label ribbon 101 wraps into prongs 55and take-up spindle 53 is powered and turns to draw label ribbon 101through printer 40. The open configuration of prongs 55 makes it easy toset up label feeder 50.

Returning to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, controller display 71 is located on thefront of computer 72 and package weighing and labeling apparatus 10 andcontroller 70 (not shown) is located in computer 72. Controller display71 provides an interface with controller 70. Controller 70 coordinatesthe operation of the several elements of weighing and labeling apparatus10. Controller 70 also communicates with other stations and other areasof the plant. This allows the greater plant to communicate operationsinformation to weighing and labeling apparatus 10. This prevents theneed for changes to be made manually at local stations and preventserrors.

FIGS. 1 and 2 also show carton printer 49. As packages are weighed andlabeled, they are removed from scale 30 and placed into larger cartons.Carton printer 49 prints labels to be printed for placement onto thelarger cartons. Carton printer 49 receives information from controller70, which in turn may come from the greater plant planning system.

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighingand labeling apparatus with riser 25 and rotatable mast 24, supportingwater-tight printer housing 42. FIG. 9 also shows side door 44 in anopened configuration, and side door 43 in a closed configuration. Labelprinter 40, located within water-tight printer housing 42, shows labelroll 102, take-up spindle 53, and scale controller 31 mounted on aninternal surface of door 44. Also shown in FIG. 9 is a gasket 45 forcreating a water-tight seal on door 44 and door 43 when the doors are ina closed configuration. Rotatable mast 24 allows an operator to swivelor turn housing 42 in order to conveniently install label tape or changeany of the label printer 40 applications. Label printer 40 receivesinformation from controller 31 in order to print labels displayingpackage information such as package contents, package weight, packageprice per unit, package sell-by date information, and package vendorinformation. Controller 31 also communicates with other stations andother areas of the plant.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser 25 and rotatable mast 24, water-tightprinter housing 42 with door 43 and door 44 in an opened configuration,supported by frame 20 which rests on wheels 22. Scale 30 is located onthe front of frame 20 below water-tight printer housing 42. Located onthe internal surface of door 43 is computer tablet 72 with display 71and inner gasket 45, forming a water-tight seal on door 43 when door 43is in a closed configuration. Located on the internal surface of door 44is scale controller 31 with inner gasket 45, forming a water-tight sealon door 44 when door 44 is in a closed configuration. Controller 31coordinates the operation of the several elements of weighing andlabeling apparatus 10 in conjunction with computer 72. Controller 31also may communicate with other stations and other areas of the plant.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser 25 supporting dual rotatable masts 24 andwater-tight printer housings 42 and 73 with side door 43, door 44, door74, and door 75 in a closed configuration. Door 43, door 44, door 74 anddoor 75 show door latch 46 which is configured to maintain doors ofhousing 42 and housing 73 in an open configuration. Door fasteners 76are located on doors 43, 44, 74 and 75 to maintain doors 43, 44, 74 and75 in a closed configuration. When the doors of printer housing 42 and73 are fastened closed with door fasteners 76, they are in a water-tightconfiguration which can be beneficial for cleaning the printer housingsurfaces without causing damage to printer 40 and computer 72 andcontroller 31 located within printer housing 42 and printer housing 73.Controller 31 coordinates the operation of the several elements ofweighing and labeling apparatus 10 in conjunction with computer 72, toinclude the operation of printer 40 located in housing 42 and printer 40located in housing 73. As in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, controller 31 alsocommunicates with other stations and other areas of the plant.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus with riser 24 supporting dual rotatable masts 24 andwater-tight printer housings with side door 43, door 44, door 74 and 75in an open configuration. Located on the internal surface of door 43 ofprinter housing 42 is computer 72, computer display 71. Located on theinternals surface of door 44 of printer housing 42 is scale controller31, scale display 32 and scale controls 33. Controller 31 coordinatesthe operation of the several elements of weighing and labeling apparatus10 in conjunction with computer 72, to include the operation of printer40 located in housing 42 and printer 40 located in housing 73. As inFIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, controller 31 in FIG. 12 also communicateswith other stations and other areas of the plant. FIG. 12 also showrollers 37 that allow packages being weighed in an assembly line formatto be easily weighed and moved to the next station. As in FIG. 9, FIG.10, and FIG. 11, frame 20 supports water-tight printer housing 42 andwater-tight printer housing 73, which can be fastened closed with doorfasteners 76 in order to attain a closed door configuration of housing42 and water-tight printer housing 73. Computer 72 and scale controller31 interface in order to operate both printer 40 within housing 42 andprinter 40 located in housing 73. The internal surface of door 74, door75, door 43 and door 44 house gasket 45 in order to maintain awater-tight seal on doors 74, 75, 43, and 44 when in a closedconfiguration and fastened with door fasteners 76. FIG. 12 shows housing42 and housing 73 mounted on rotatable mast 24 and riser 25. Rotatablemast 25 allows housing 42 and housing 73 to pivot and turn in order toallow an operator easy access to printer 40 and label feeder 50 locatedinside housing 42 and housing 73.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the scale controller 31 locatedon an internal surface of door 44 of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus. Computer 72 and scale controller 31 interface inorder to operate both printer 40 within housing 42 and printer 40located in housing 73. Controller 31 coordinates the operation of theseveral elements of weighing and labeling apparatus 10 in conjunctionwith computer 72, to include the operation of printer 40 located inhousing 42 and printer 40 located in housing 73. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 2,FIG. 3, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, controller 31 in FIG. 13also communicates with other stations and other areas of the plant.Scale controller 31 shows scale display 32, scale controls 33 on thefront to set up and program scale 30. FIG. 13 also shows gasket 45 forsealing door 44 in a water-tight configuration when door 44 is in aclosed configuration via door fasteners 76.

FIG. 14 is a rear side perspective view of a first and second door latchon an external surface of door 44 of an embodiment of the weighing andlabeling apparatus 10 maintaining printer housing 42 doors in an openconfiguration via door latch 46 and door latch 47.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the interaction of the operator,weighing and labeling apparatus 10, and the packing plant. In someembodiments, weighing and labeling apparatus 10 has very limitedautonomy from the greater plant and receives most of the neededinformation automatically. Some embodiments of weighing and labelingapparatus 10 are programmed locally.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limitedin application to the details of construction and arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings.Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of theembodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to any particularembodiment or a preferred embodiment disclosed and/or identified in thespecification. The drawing figures are for illustrative purposes only,and merely provide practical examples of the invention disclosed herein.Therefore, the drawing figures should not be viewed as restricting thescope of the claims to what is depicted.

The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways,including various combinations and sub-combinations of the featuresdescribed above but that may not have been explicitly disclosed inspecific combinations and sub-combinations. Accordingly, those skilledin the art will appreciate that the conception upon which theembodiments and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis forthe design of other structures, methods, and systems. In addition, it isto be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed hereinare for the purposes of description and should not be regarded aslimiting the claims.

I claim:
 1. A weighing and labeling apparatus for packages, saidapparatus comprising: a structural frame; a scale for weighing packages,said scale located on said structural frame; a printer for printinglabels, said printer located on said structural frame; a housing forsaid printer, said housing located on said structural frame; a computerfor processing package information, said computer mounted in saidhousing; a label feeder for supplying labels, said label feeder locatedon said structural frame; a label applicator for affixing said labels toa package, said label applicator located on said structural frame; and acontroller mounted on said structural frame and controlling said scale,said printer, said label feeder, and said label applicator.
 2. Theweighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim 1, wherein: saidstructural frame comprises a platform, said platform supporting saidscale.
 3. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim 2,wherein: said platform supporting said scale is vertically adjustable.4. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim 1, wherein:said label feeder feeds a label ribbon to said printer and further tosaid label applicator.
 5. The weighing and labeling apparatus forpackages of claim 1, wherein: said label applicator is mounted on saidstructural frame above said scale.
 6. The weighing and labelingapparatus for packages of claim 1, wherein: said label applicator ispowered by air.
 7. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages ofclaim 1, wherein: said controller on said structural frame furthercomprises a local operator interface.
 8. The weighing and labelingapparatus for packages of claim 1, wherein: said computer for processingsaid package information communicates with said label printer via saidcontroller.
 9. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim1, wherein: said package information comprises at least one of thefollowing: package contents, package weight, package price per unit,package sell-by date information, and package vendor information.
 10. Aweighing and labeling apparatus for packages, said apparatus comprising:a structural frame; a scale for weighing packages, said scale located onsaid structural frame; a first housing, said first housing located onsaid structural frame; a first printer for printing labels, said firstprinter located in said first housing; a computer for processing packageinformation, said computer mounted in said first housing; a label feederfor supplying labels, said label feeder supported by said structuralframe; a controller mounted on said structural frame and controllingsaid scale, said printer, and said label feeder.
 11. The weighing andlabeling apparatus for packages of claim 10, further comprising: aplatform, said platform supporting said scale.
 12. The weighing andlabeling apparatus for packages of claim 10, wherein: said controllerfurther comprises an operator interface, said controller beingprogrammed by an operator via said operator interface.
 13. The weighingand labeling apparatus for packages of claim 10, wherein: said labelfeeder feeds a label ribbon to said printer disposed in said firsthousing.
 14. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim10, further comprising: a label applicator arranged in said firsthousing, said label applicator receiving said label ribbon from saidlabel feeder.
 15. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages ofclaim 10, wherein: said frame further comprises a rotatable mast, saidfirst housing mounted on said rotatable mast.
 16. The weighing andlabeling apparatus for packages of claim 10, wherein: said first housinghas at least one door, each of said at least one door having an internalsurface, wherein said controller is mounted on a said internal surface.17. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim 10,further comprising: at least one door latch, said door latch configuredto maintain a respective door of said first housing in an openconfiguration.
 18. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages ofclaim 10, wherein: said computer for processing package information viasaid controller is located in said first housing.
 19. The weighing andlabeling apparatus for packages of claim 10, wherein: said first housinghas at least one door, each of said at least one door having an internalsurface, wherein said computer is mounted on a said internal surface.20. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim 10,wherein: said first housing has at least one door, each of said at leastone door having an internal surface, wherein said computer is mounted ona said internal surface.
 21. The weighing and labeling apparatus forpackages of claim 10, wherein: each of said at least one door iswater-tight when closed, each of said at least one door furthercomprising a gasket sealing said first housing and each of said at leastone door.
 22. The weighing and labeling apparatus for packages of claim10, further comprising: at least one additional housing disposed abovesaid scale for at least one additional printer.
 23. The weighing andlabeling apparatus for packages of claim 22, wherein: said frame furthercomprises an additional rotatable mast with a said at least oneadditional housing mounted on a said second rotatable mast with a saidat least one additional printer located inside a said at least oneadditional housing.